Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-11
Cansure of a Texas Outlaw.

Yesterday, and out of it stepped Detective
Mahon, who Immediately entered the build
ing. A few moments later an officer ap.
peared, and calling to an orderly he said:
"Tell Private Adams to step here g mo.
ment." Then the detective and the officer
waited until man with a soldierly bearing
about six feet in height. came toward then.
He was a strong, athletic looking man about
thirty. five years of age, with a swagger as
he walked that told of reckless daring. His
face, rather handsome one, showed several
heavy scars, while his eyes cleaned with
brightness that was almost fierce in its in
tens;ty. He made the military salute as he
approached the officer, and then coming to
a standstil, drew himself up and awaited
in silence what bis superior had to say.
81 sent for you Adams" said the officer,
"lo see if you know this gentleman" and he
pointed to the carriage. The soldier turn
ed and the next instant started back in
alarm. "Bill Adams" he exclaimed in rs
tonishment, for as he looked the carriage
door had opened and man alighted.
Eyes, Bill Adams" he said, as he he ap
preached the startled soldier, land l am
glad to see that you know me so WE'LL"
The speaker was short, muscular man,
with weatherbeaten face. lie limped de-
cidedly as he walked, but had such look
of determination about him that it was evi
dent, though cripple, he was equal to
every emergency. He wasdreased in white
sombrero, flannel shirt with wide collar,
short sack coat and trousers incased at the
bottom in pair of high top boots. About
his waist hung two immense Colt revolvers.
The hit of a formidable bowie knife was
81. Ia OH 10 on
"You've got the drop on me this time,
Bill" said the soldier, who had now recov-
cred his self possession, land / am willing
to throw up my hands" A short CONVERSE
ton then ensued, after which Detective Ma.
hon, the soldier and the man with the SOM
brero got into the carriage and drove away.
rhe man with the sombrero was Sheriff
William Adams, of Brown county, Tex, and
the soldier was Eugene Blumenthal, who
has been wanted in that section OF the conn-
try during the last three years for series OF
tho most daring robberries that ever occur
red there. About four years ago Eugene
BIumenthal was the leader of a band of
desperadoes known as the Fence Rangers"
in Brown county, Tex, who swept through
that country, tearing down fences, running
oil herds of cattle and robbing stores. They
were the terror of the whole section, and al
though many attempts were made to arrest
the gang, they all proved futile. Blumen
thai could shoot anything that he could
sec, and was neve: known to miss his
aim. With such dread was this party
regarded that when the election for sheriff
came up all party feeling was forgotten and
the candidates urged their claims by their
ability to capture Blumenthal and his gang.
Accordingly when Bill Adams found himself
elected sheriff he discovered that the Grst
duty he owed his constituents was to CAP.
ure the much dreaded gang. One night
Blumenthal suddenly put in an appearance
at Brownwood, q little village in Brown
county, and going 10 the largest store in the
place, stood some distance from the
door and deliberately shot the locks
Off with his rifle. Then he entered, and
securing about one Thousand dollars,
besides some revolvers and ammunition,
made of with his booty. Blumentha and
his companions were trotting esurely out of
town when they found the sheriff after them
in hot pursuit. Adams was as good shot
as BIumenthal, and the result of the matter
was that the latter surrendered. He was
lodged in Jail, and preparations were being
made for speedy trial when he managed
to cut hole through the Jail wall one night
and escaped. Adams chased him out of
Texas, but then lost track of the fugitive
and had to return home. Blumenthal kept
on TO Little Rock and enlisted as soldier
under the name of James F. Adams, and be-
ing transferred almost Immediately to Wash
ingtOn supposed that he was safe from fur
Their pursuit.
Sheriff Adams, however, had not given up
tho chase. The assumed name threw the
Sheriff Off the track for time, but about q
month ago he learned that Blumenthal had
come to Washington and he Immediately
telegraphed the authorities here. "You can
tell him by the way he shoots" was the way
he described the man in his letter to the police.
Detective Mahon was then assigned to the
case and though he had verylittle information
to 60 upon he soon located his man. Blum
enthal, although he had taken every pre-
caution to change his personal appearance,
and in his neat fitting uniform and with
clearly shaven face looked little like
Western desperate, still he could not give
up his affection for his rifle, aud it was his
reputation as crack shot that put the de.
sective on his trail. When the detective
had satisfied himself that he had found the
man he teleeraphed description to Sheriff
Adams, who Immediately got requisition
and startled the officials at headquarters
about week ago by showing up suddenly
in his picturesque costume.
The officers at the Arsenal were astonish
ed at Blumenthal's arrest. He was we'll
thought of by all the soldiers and his skill
with rifle had made him general favor
lite. Sheriff Adams is delighted at captur
ing Blumenthal, and swears that he will
have no further chance for escape.-Wash-
ington Post.
DISASTROUS FIRE IN ST. LoUIs.-As
stated in the GAZETTE, the most terrible
catastrophe that has befallen the st. Louis
fire department in its history occurred yes.
terday morning about 9 o'clock. The walls
of the ruins Of Bishop & Spears peanut